Modern popular French performers. French singers and singers

cool french young singer who became famous after the song Je Veu.

They write about her that she sings in small cafes and clubs in Paris. She does not have a special musical education, but this does not prevent her from writing her own songs, which have a good response from the audience. In addition to the songs of his own composition, well-known songs of French singers and singers sound great in the performance of ZAZ, which, thanks to the unique style of ZAZ, acquire a new, interesting sound.

Ruslan Pavlenko , 27 November 2010 at 03:55

Striking French singer ZAZ or Isabelle Geffroy (Isabelle Geffroy) and her song Je veux ("I want"). Opening of the year. Video. Lyrics.

Isabelle Geffroy's street performance video is more popular on YouTube than her official clips. Despite her popularity and success, according to legend, she continues to perform on the streets of Paris with groovy and fervent songs. Her road to success was not short. Only this year the 30-year-old singer was recognized in France as the performer of the best dance composition of summer 2010. Prior to that, in January 2009, there was a victory in the well-known folk song TB-competition in France, which made her immediately famous.

Isabelle Geffroy has an unusual husky voice, characteristic of traditional French chansonniers, mastery of it and a love of music. But, in addition, and this is the true reason for her success, the strength of character, internal independence and optimism. Isabelle Geffroy often toured Russia, especially in the Far East.

Below I give a video of the song Je veux ("I want"), and the translation of the words. I also attach her autobiography from Wikipedia and a few interviews. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been listening to it non-stop for a week now, and it’s better to start the morning with it!

Isabelle Geffroy (fr. Isabelle Geffroy, born May 1, 1980) is a French singer, known under the pseudonym ZAZ. She is best known for her song Je veux ("I want"). In his work he combines chanson, jazz, folk. Her atypical voice is reminiscent of Freel and Piaf.

Biography

Isabelle Geffroy was born in Tours on May 1, 1980. Her mother was a French teacher and her father worked for an energy company. In 1985 Isabelle, her brother and sister entered the Tours Conservatory. She studies there from the age of five to eleven, studying mainly solfeggio, violin, piano, guitar, choral singing. In 1994, Geffroy moved to Bordeaux. In 1995, she attends singing courses and also goes in for sports: during the year in Bordeaux she studies kung fu with a professional trainer. In 2000, she received a scholarship from the regional council, which allowed her to enter the school of modern music - the Center for Information and Musical Activities of Bordeaux (Centre d'information et d'activités musicales, CIAM). Among her musical influences, she mentions Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, French chanson, Enrico Macias, Bobby McFerrin, Richard Bon, Latin, African and Cuban rhythms... In 2006 Isabelle Geffroy comes to Paris.

Career

In 2001, Isabelle Geffroy began performing as a singer in the blues group Fifty Fingers. He sings in orchestras in Angouleme, more often in a jazz quintet. In Tarno, she becomes one of the four singers of the Basque variety orchestra, consisting of sixteen people; toured with him for two years, mainly in the Midi-Pyrenees and the Basque Country. In 2002, Geffroy replaced the lead singer of the Latin rock band Don Diego. She signs a contract with Don Diego with the letter Z, which means ZAZ, and thus this nickname becomes a stage name. This group mixes French and Spanish music, taking inspiration from African, Arabic and Latin American music as well. As part of the group, the aspiring artist takes part in the Angouleme Music Festival of various genres.

In 2006, ZAZ goes to Paris. Sings in clubs and bars. For a year and a half, she performs every evening at the Three Hammers Club (French Aux Trois Mailletz), where she sings without a microphone. Then, in search of more free and creative work, she leaves to play outside. She sings on the streets of Montmartre, on the pavement of the Hill Square. (“Our record,” she recalls, “is 450 euros per hour. As a rule, everyone earned 20-30 euros per hour.”). Together with the rap group Le 4P, he releases the clips "L'Aveyron" and "Rugby Amateur".

In 2007, Geffroy responds to an Internet ad from producer and composer Querradin Soltani, who was looking for a new artist with a husky voice. For her, he writes "Je veux" and finds a record company and publisher. But she continues to look for work. In August 2008 she takes part in the competition Le Tremplin Génération France Bleu/Réservoir. Meanwhile, ZAZ joins the group Sweet Air. On November 21, 2008, ZAZ and Sweet Air record a live album, which remains unreleased, immediately preceding the singer's rise alongside Kerradine Soltani. In December 2008, with the support of Alliance Française - Vladivostok, she sings in Russia, in the Far East. She gives 13 concerts in 15 days with pianist Julien Lifzik.

In January 2009, ZAZ wins the final of the third edition of Le Tremplin Génération France Bleu/Réservoir, held in Paris, in concert hall"Olympia". It was noted that after such success, “ZAZ saw how the doors of the studios opened for her to record her first album” and the winner “will receive 5 thousand euros for promotion, as well as the opportunity to shoot a video for MTV and record her album.” However, ZAZ had to wait another 14 months before her first album was released. In April 2009, she again tours in Russia: this time from Vladivostok through Siberia to Nizhny Novgorod. In Russia, ZAZ performs songs by Piaf, Brel, Aznavour, Gainsbourg, Mathieu, Dassin, Kaas, as well as songs from her upcoming album: "Je veux", "Les passants", "Prends garde à ta langue". Then she makes a tour to Egypt, accompanied by a dancer. For a month, she plays Spanish and French music with a Latin American group in Casablanca, at the Parrot restaurant. In addition, in the summer of 2009, ZAZ takes part in the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. She then continues to sing in the streets of Montmartre.

Finally, on May 10, 2010, ZAZ releases her debut album, which she called her stage name. Half of the album consists of songs written by herself ("Trop sensible", "Les Passants", "Le Long de la route", "Prends garde à ta langue", "J'aime à nouveau"). Querradine Soltani released this album on the Play On label and wrote the lyrics and music for the jazz-manouche songs "Je veux" and "Ni oui ni non" (the music for the second was co-written with pianist Vivian Rust). ZAZ also meets pop singer Rafael, who writes three songs for her ("Éblouie par la nuit", "Port Coton" and "La Fée"). In 2010, she signed with tour organizer Caramba and publisher Sony ATV. She was invited to several radio and TV programs, which allowed the general public to get to know her. Her single "Je veux", whose lyrics express contempt for the consumer society, was chosen by TF1 as a major summer hit, and the video aired during the summer of 2010 on TF1 and other music channels. The album "ZAZ" rises to the first place and receives the status of gold in June 2010. Then ZAZ goes on tour in France (Paris, La Rochelle, festivals in Montauban, Saint-Ouen, Chateauroux, Landerno, Fécamp), sings at the Francofolies festival in Montreal (Canada), in Monte (Switzerland), in Berlin… In autumn ZAZ tops the charts in Belgium, Switzerland and Austria.

Je Veux (original Zaz)

Donnez moi un suite au Ritz, je n "en veux pas!

Des bijoux de chez CHANEL, je n "en veux pas!

Donnez moi une limousine, j "en ferais quoi? Papalapapapala

Offrez my du personnel, j "en ferais quoi?

Un manoir a Neuchâtel, ce n "est pas pour moi.

Offrez moi la Tour Eiffel, j "en ferais quoi? Papalapapapala

Bienvenue dans ma realite.

J "en ai marre d" vos bonne manière, c "est trop pour moi!

Moi je mange avec les mains et j "suis comme ça!

J "parle fort et je suis franche, excusez moi!

Fini l "hypocrisie moi j" me casse de la!

J "en ai marre des langues de bois!

Regardez moi, toute maniere j "vous en veux pas

Et j "suis comme çaaaaaaa (j" suis comme çaaa) papalapapapala

Je veux d "l" amour, d "la joie, de la bonne humeur,

Ce n "est pas votre argent qui f" ra mon bonheur,

Moi j "veux crever la main sur le coeur papalapapapala

Allons ensemble, découvrir ma liberté,

Oubliez donc tous vos cliches,

Bienvenue dans ma realite.

I want (translation)

Give me an apartment at the Ritz - I don't need it!

Chanel jewelry - I don't need them!

Give me a limousine - what should I do with it? Papalapapala!

Offer me a personal staff - what should I do with it?

The castle in Neuchatel* is not for me.

Offer me the Eiffel Tower - what should I do with it? Papalapapala!

I'm sick of your mannerisms - this is too much for me!

I, I eat with my hands - I am!

I speak loudly and am not ashamed of it, sorry!

Enough hypocrisy! I'm leaving this.

I'm already sick of formulaic speech!

Look at me, I don't need you with your pretentiousness

I'm so (I'm so) Papalapapala!

[Chorus 3x:]

I want love, fun, good mood!

Your money will not bring me joy.

I, I want to stop the hand squeezing my heart. Papalapapala!

Let's open the way to my freedom together!

So forget all your stereotypes

Welcome to my reality!

Talk about ZAZ

When you see Isabelle Geffroy, you remember acquaintances who hitchhike, appear in various funny parties, surprise with childish spontaneity and simplicity in life. Zaz (Zaz) - that's her name, this is a new trend of modern French chanson, rather even jazz chanson. Although it is safe to say about the musical direction of the singer, whose sexually husky voice can be heard today in Vladivostok with a jazz band playing swing, tomorrow in Morocco with a Chilean group. Isabelle Geffroy herself says to herself: "I go where the wind calls. I will play in all styles and in all ways that come to mind. As soon as I do not feel in my place, I leave."

Despite her image of a street musician, a traveling singer, her musical path began from the conservatory (solfeggio, violin, piano).

Just recently, her talent was recognized. Released on May 10, the album "No. 1" counted 140,000 copies sold in 6 weeks. And her discs diverge in more than 20 countries. In the single "I want" ("Je veux") we can find a live sound of Afro-Cuban, Arab-Andalusian and Latin American themes. Her warm, generous voice, with a slight mockery, pulls us to the streets of Montmartre. Zez has something to say after Piaf and Gainsburg.

Project ZAZ - recognized as the breakthrough of the year in France

This year will be remembered by European listeners as the year in which the debut of singer ZAZ, the French vocalist, who, according to the media, set Europe on the ears last summer with her incendiary single "Je Veux", took place.

The debut disc of ZAZ became a sensation in general - only in France its circulation immediately after certification was recognized as triple platinum!

The single composition "Je Veux" stunned both critics and the public. Melodic, provocative and tightly written in the head, the song is performed in a style that has not appeared on the charts for a long time - ethnic, gypsy motifs using jazz notes. So, at one time, the legendary Gypsy Kings sounded, but the singer ZAZ, as if by a wave magic wand, was able to return this style to the list of world charts. Now the YouTube service is literally packed with homemade cover versions of this song, which are performed by young fans of ZAZ, which if not this is a real sign of a real cult.

Almost all of today's stars started the same way - completely ignoring modern fashion and established authorities, they did what no one could expect from them. This year the singer ZAZ was nominated for the most prestigious French music awards EBBA and Constantin, and her record is moving higher and higher in the charts of Europe.

French singer Zaz will write a song about Russia

She sings about love. Great songs of great French women. Merey Mathieu, Patricia Kaas - what is not an example to follow. Only Isabelle, better known in creative circles as Zaz, has her own page in this love story. At 28, Isabelle is sure that music is this grandiose feeling.

At home, in Paris, Isabelle is waiting for her husband. And she's on the road again. The trip to Russia is the first such a long one. A few hours of flight, and here it is - the Far East. Zaz knows almost nothing about him. Through the windows of the car, I was surprised at the strange wooden houses. And to these unusual Russian women: “In my mind, Russian women are strong in character and know exactly what they want. And they have very high heels."

Like any Frenchwoman, Isabelle follows fashion. She just got used to dressing the way she felt comfortable. The truth is waiting in a suitcase finest hour Evening Dress. Isabelle will put it on for a concert dedicated to the French Film Festival in Vladivostok.

Isabelle and her partner Julien are the first musicians to arrive at the new French centre. They started their tour from Ussuriysk, then in the schedule of the tour the sites of Khabarovsk, Blagoveshchensk and Birobidzhan.

Sideric Gras, Director of the French Center Alliance Française: “On March 17, we opened the first French center in the Far East. The nearest French center is in Irkutsk. So can you imagine how far?

On this trip, Isabelle decided to write a song. About Russia. So distant and unusual that you can't even believe it.

Verified by Russia. Boris Barabanov about Zaz's debut album

The debut album of the French singer Zaz (real name - Isabelle Geffroy) was released in France in May, and in the rest of Europe - in June. But in Russia it was finally "saw through", it seems, only in the fall. In any case, it was now that her song "Je Veux" began to be regularly broadcast on the radio. At home, the album "Zaz" climbed to the top of the charts a month and a half after the release and remained in the top ten for a long time. French friends reported to the Weekend columnist on social networks: "It can be said that they put it in all the stalls."

Zaz hails from the city of Tours. She is thirty years old. She studied music since childhood (violin, piano and guitar). She sang in the choir. In parallel with vocals, she mastered kung fu. Paris became her permanent residence in 2006. Zaz began performing in small bars. In 2007, "Je Veux" appeared, a song her biographers refer to as a "freedom anthem". It is sung there in general terms that money does not bring joy to a girl, and that she prefers the freedom to have fun, talk loudly and eat with her hands to all secular conventions.

A recent "real" video for the song "Je Veux" has amassed more than two million views on YouTube, but footage taken during her street performance seems much more informative. A more familiar atmosphere for Zaz is a restaurant, but after videos appeared, shot in the open air with acoustic accompaniment of a typical chanson ensemble, she began to be called a "street singer" much more often. There is, for example, a great "street" video Zaz with the song Edith Piaf "Dans Ma Rue". Zaz is generally often called the new Edith Piaf, and she, of course, is the number one contender for this role. Nothing so close to Piaf's talent appeared in France for a couple of decades. Another "prototype" Zaz - Freel, star of the beginning of the last century, lady tragic fate. Comparisons with Piaf and Freel are already a great honor. But in the life of Zaz there was also quite a formal recognition of merit. In 2009, she made it to the finals of an authoritative competition for young performers and won a grant for the promotional campaign of the album and airs on MTV.

In the biography of Zaz there is a connection with Russia that is absolutely sensational in fact. At the same time, when the young singer stormed various important instances of the show industry in her homeland, she could be listened to quite calmly in cities such as Blagoveshchensk or Birobidzhan. Zaz traveled around the Russian Far East along the Alliance Française line and performed at the evenings of French culture a gentleman's set of evergreen French hits understandable to the average international listener - Joe Dassin, Charles Aznavour, Mireille Mathieu, Patricia Kaas, Serge Gainsbourg and Edith Piaf. In 2009, Zaz traveled with concerts from Vladivostok to Nizhny Novgorod (in that direction). Then Zaz got to Egypt, Japan and Morocco. And she filled short breaks in Paris with performances on the streets of Montmartre.

Despite the fact that the Wikipedia article on Zaz has not even been translated into English yet, there is every confidence that in a short time Ms. Geffroy will become a major French musical export. Her debut album reveals an almost perfect combination of ingredients that the public outside of France is accustomed to lumping together under the label "French chanson". A voice with a hoarseness, belonging to a person much younger than you can imagine just listening to the songs. Acoustic guitar with a gypsy accent by Django Reinhardt. Frivolous melodies, inciting to non-committal intrigues, and next - wide epic ballads, where there is room for vocals to unfold. And all this is perfected either on Parisian passers-by, or on the public, which has never been to France and probably never will.

Zaz "Zaz" (Play On)

The winner of the Parisian “Star Factory” earned money for an apartment in Novosibirsk clubs

A real chanson was brought to Novosibirsk. To listen to the young singer ZAZ from France, a complete cabaret cafe "Stray Dog" and the art club "NII KuDA" crowded. Both the familiar melodies of Edith Piaf, Mireille Mathieu, Patricia Kaas and other French pop singers, as well as the own songs of the young winner of the Parisian analogue of our Star Factory, sounded from the stage.

Reference: ZAZ (Isabelle Geffroy) is a French singer, originally from the city of Tours. Sings in small cafes and clubs in Paris. In January 2009, ZAZ won the competition for young talents in Paris (analogous to our "Star Factory"). In Russia, ZAZ performs with theater actor and pianist Julien Lifzik, who graduated from the Paris Conservatoire in piano.

Novosibirsk was visited for the first time by the French singer ZAZ, who performs songs in the style of soul, jazz and French chanson. Isabelle Geffroy, the winner of the Parisian version of the Star Factory, was brought to the cabaret-cafe "Stray Dog" and the art club "NII KuDA" as part of the project of the French center "Alliance Française". By the way, for the first time ZAZ visited Russia not so long ago - at the end of last year, having traveled around the cities with performances Far East: Ussuriysk, Vladivostok, Blagoveshchensk, Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, etc.

The 28-year-old singer (by the way, Isabelle has no special musical education) performs with a program consisting of songs by Mireille Mathieu, Patricia Kaas and other French pop hits so dearly loved by the Russian public. ZAZ also performs his songs in a style that we usually call "French chanson".

French chanson, as people who know well say musical culture of this country exists only in the Russian sense. As, in fact, Russian chanson. Their "chanson" is just a song. Usually about love. We have a certain genre. Usually about prison.

ZAZ commented to NGS.RELAX correspondent: “We don't have such a concept. We don't have prison romance. We can have separate songs about prison, about love, about robberies ... But there is no such concept of “chanson”, as you have it, in France ... But whatever it is about - be it the world of crime, a thieves' environment, the main thing is - not this: a person chooses his own life. And if what the author says in his song reaches the heart of another person, if it touches him, then this already has the right to exist. There is no standard framework and some kind of norm for me.”

Not enduring the framework imposed by society - “Well, why can’t I scratch my ear when it itches? Or blow your nose in front of people? Because someone thinks that it is impossible? ”, - Isabelle Geffroy remains a real Frenchwoman.

A hoarse sexy voice, a cigarette, love, by his own admission, for a beautiful underwear, which she did not hesitate to correct on stage ... And plus amazing, although in most cases familiar from films, old records and Soviet television concerts, French pop songs that fascinate the audience.

In Russia, ZAZ performs with French actor and musician Julien Lifzik“I had the impression that Siberia is specifically dressed Eskimos. Siberia is a place with few inhabitants. What I really didn't like about you was the gray, cold, rectangular buildings. But in general, the impression of the city is that it is in full swing. It boils at a high degree ... And I did not expect that Russian men are so gallant. One gets the impression that a Russian man exists in order to serve a woman,” the French singer told NGS.RELAX correspondent.

Having traveled through the cities of Russia for the second time (most of the concerts again took place in the cities of the Far East), the singer ZAZ, who is in constant search of herself and believes in the materialization of thoughts, returned to the suburbs of Paris to continue working on her first author's disc.

“I am not a materialist. Although I love money. As a kind of substance that can be transformed into what I do ...

The fees that I will receive after this trip will be materially embodied in the payment for an apartment that I did not pay for two or three months. Money is for spending. I don’t know how to save,” Isabelle laughs.

Almost all genres and styles of music are represented in France. But the song genre, however, as in the whole world, is the most popular here. There are a lot of bright performers in the country who work in the chanson genre, but French chansonniers are very different from the performers of our country. The bottom line is that this music preserves the national traits inherent only in the French song and does not allow the influence of trends in the development of world show business.

Perhaps the reason lies in the huge worldwide popularity of French cabarets that arose in the last century and are the hallmark of the country. This type of art has become a self-sufficient trend and has characteristic, very striking features.

Synthesis with other directions is sometimes simply impossible due to inconsistency and disharmony, which is unacceptable in music. It is this originality that makes the hits of French chansonnier singers incredibly popular and performed at all times.

Very bright stars shine in the sky of world art and jazz French singers. If in the 70s and 80s this style was art for the elite and real gourmets from music, then over time it began to use the techniques of mass art.

Although, most likely, this stage began to use the jazz technique of performance.

Be that as it may, modern music, not only in France, but throughout the world, is distinguished by the fusion of all styles and trends. As a result, the most beautiful songs and bright talented performers appear.

Many modern French singers have gained worldwide fame. Some can be recognized literally by the first notes, thanks to the bright, memorable timbre of the voice.

French singers famous all over the world

The name in the last century thundered all over the world. The unique, beautiful timbre of the voice and the special charm of the singer drove the women of the whole planet crazy.

Dassin's hits such as "Excuse Me Lady", "Bip-Bip", "Ça m'avance à quoi", "Les Dalton" and others are covered by modern performers, our generation listens to these songs with pleasure, sometimes without even knowing who is their author and first performer.

Joe Dassin was born in 1938 in New York, mother future star was a famous violinist, her father was a director, when young Joe was 12 years old, the family moved to France. Most likely, it was parental genes and upbringing that played a decisive role in choosing a profession. Joe Dassin starred in films all his life and wrote wonderful songs.

French Canadian singer and actor Garu woke up famous after playing the role of Quasimodo in the musical Notre Dame de Paris. The real name of the singer is Pierre Garan, he was born in 1972. A low voice with a slight hoarseness, the highest skill of performance brought Garou into a number of world stars.

Acting career is also very successful. To date, the singer has released 8 albums.

Gregory Lemarchal was born in 1983. The singer became famous in a very young age thanks to an incredible talent, moving and bright voice.

In early childhood, the boy was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease that affects the functioning of the lungs. Despite this, Gregory was able to achieve very high results in vocal skills and pleases his fans with very touching and honest songs.

An incurable disease claimed the life of the singer in 2007, the posthumous album "La voix d'un ange" (Voice of an angel) in 2008 received a platinum award for one million copies sold in Europe.

Popular French singers

With French music at all times will be primarily associated Edith Piaf. There is no person in the civilized world who has not heard the unique voice of this brilliant woman.

The real name of the singer and actress is Giovanna Gassion, she was born in 1915. The childhood and youth of the future world star passed in horrendous poverty and deprivation, which was the reason for poor health, which caused the singer terrible torment throughout her life and caused premature death.

The songs "Milord", "Padam Padam", "Non Je Ne Regrette Rien" are known to almost everyone, regardless of age and musical taste.

Brilliant invariably attracted the attention of the public with extraordinary vocal abilities, scandalous events and a rich personal life.

Patricia Kaas is one of the brightest and interesting singers our time. Despite the fact that the singer belongs to the chanson genre, her style, with the charm inherent only to the French, combines chanson, jazz and pop music.

This is precisely the special style of Patricia Kaas, the singer was able to mix incompatible styles, and she did it very tasty.

The world saw 10 albums, each of which is a standard of refined taste and high craftsmanship. The singer tours a lot and gives concerts all over the world.

Of the discoveries of our century, the stars of modern French singers, considered one of the most promising young singers, are burning very brightly in the sky, and ZAZ, mixing very boldly and talentedly chanson, folk, jazz and acoustic music.

Of course, the list of talented and popular musicians in France is not limited to the aforementioned singers and singers.
More about classical and modern performers, representatives of rock and rap trends This country has given the world an incredible amount of very high quality and beautiful music. Listening to her, we have the opportunity to touch at least for a minute the unique and refined world of grace and charm.

French clip - VIDEO

Listen to the beautiful song "My Angel" performed by "Golden Voice" Gregory Lemarchal

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July 22 celebrates his birthday legendary singer Mireille Mathieu. The performer of such hits as Pardonne Moi Ce Caprice and Ciao, bambino, sorry, turns 67 years old.

Mathieu was born in the small French town of Avignon in a low-income large family. At school, she was a loser, and at the age of 13 she dropped out of school, getting a job at a factory. Her main hobby has always been (and still is) singing. Her path to fame began at the age of 16 - it was then that she won her first music competition. At first, she was compared to Edith Piaf, but she soon proved that she was unique in her own right. Now she has several albums and many awards, including the Order of the Legion of Honor for outstanding services to France.

However, this country has given the world many beautiful singers who have become legends. Here are 4 more famous ones.

Edith Piaf

The legendary "Sparrow" Edith Piaf was born in Paris in 1915. Her personal life was full of dramas and tragedies, but this did not stop her from becoming great. She was not distinguished by external attractiveness, but her voice will forever remain in the memory of all who heard it. Many of Piaf's songs have become real classics of French (and world) music - among them Non, je ne regrette rien, La Vie en rose, Milord.

Delilah

In Paris, a monument was erected to the singer.

Dalida (her real name is Yolanda Cristina Gigliotti) was born in Italy in 1933, but became famous in France. She was a participant in beauty contests, acted in films, and then took up vocals. She received a huge number of music awards and success with the audience. During a tour of America, the impresario Ella Fitzgerald offered her a career in the United States, but the artist refused. In Paris, a monument was erected to the singer, and her songs Je suis malade, Tico tico, Je me repose, Monsieur l'amour, Helwa ya baladi are still loved and not forgotten.

Mylene Farmer

Another star of the French and world stage - Mylene Farmer - was born in Canada in 1961. She has nine albums to her credit, each of which has become a success. The singer's calling card is unusual clips, similar to mini-movies, huge budgets were spent on their shooting. Among the artist's hits are songs such as Desenchantee, Appelle Mon Numero, Je T "aime Melanocolie.

Patricia Kaas

Real fame came to her in 1988.

Patricia Kaas was born in 1966 in France. Parents encouraged their daughter's passion for singing with early years. Since childhood, she has performed and taken part in various competitions. Already at the age of 19, the singer met her first producer, actor Gerard Depardieu. Real fame came to her in 1988 with the release of the album Mademoiselle chante le blues. Today, her discography includes 10 records, and the whole world knows the songs Mon Mec a Moi, If You go Away, D "allemagne, Hotel Normandy.

She sings about love in the language of love. A simple girl who managed to make the world sing along to her in French. Sweet, sincere, incredibly talented - she changed the subway transitions to the world's best scenes, but she did not change herself. Edith Piaf of our time and the first French-speaking "Artist of the week" on the site - Zaz.

Isabelle Geffroy (real name of the performer) was born in a poor area of ​​the city of Tours, France. Her mother was a Spanish teacher, her father was a simple hard worker. At the age of 5, Isabelle begins attending the Turkish Conservatory, where during her studies she masters such musical instruments as piano, guitar, and violin. But he really reveals his talent in the classroom choral singing. Teachers are amazed at how young Geffroy manages to put so much pain into her singing, not at all realizing that the troubles in her parents' marriage are a source of bitter inspiration. At the age of 14, Zaz moved to Bordeaux, where he took up his voice closely, attending local singing courses. In addition, Isabelle gives an outlet for excess energy in martial arts. Surrounding people note the versatile talents of the growing Zaz. However, Isabelle herself is aware of the fact that talent alone is not enough, and considerable funds are required to continue professional vocal training. And it seems that fate itself went to meet the young talent. In 2000, 20-year-old Zaz received a scholarship from the regional council. The appeared source of income allows Geoffroy to enter the prestigious school of contemporary music “CIAM”. Subsequently, Isabelle recalls that the main inspiration for her at that time were: classical music and American soul singer Ella Fitzgerald.

Since 2001, Zaz has been active creative activity, acting as a soloist-multi-instrumentalist in several groups at once. After several years of such experiments, Isabelle becomes crowded in Bordeaux, and she moves to the capital of France. Looking for permanent job Isabelle comes to the Three Hammers club, where she is hired as a singer. Chip Zaz becomes a performance without a microphone. Having faithfully worked in the “hammers” for a year and a half, Geffroy leaves the institution without saving up for a decent life. Street performances become the only way to get money. Over time, it even starts to bring in a good income: “My personal record is 450 euros per hour! Such days were rare, of course, but we consistently received 20-30 euros for 60 minutes of live performance,” recalls Zaz.

In 2007 Isabelle accidentally stumbles upon an online ad music producer Kerradina Soltani. In it, he indicated that he was looking for a girl with a hoarse voice for recording musical material. It was Kerridin who would later help Zaz write her biggest hit "Je Voux". But while this is still far away, Isabelle meets an admirer from Russia, who organizes 13 concerts in various cities of our country. In January 2009, Zaz wins the final of the "Le Tremplin Generation France" competition (the French equivalent of " New Wave"). As a prize, the winner got 5,000 euros, the opportunity to record solo album, as well as shoot a clip that will be broadcast in French by MTV. For more than a year, Isabelle did not leave the studio, recording more and more new songs. During a short break, Geffroy arranges a mini-tour of Russia, this time visiting the cities of Siberia and the Far East. The performer's touring set list includes the main hits of such performers as Edith Piaf, Mireille Mathieu, Joe Dosena, Patricia Kaas.

On May 10, 2010, the long-awaited disk of the performer is released. The very first single “Je Voux” (“I want”) becomes platinum in several countries at once.

In this song Isabelle makes fun of all values modern society(money, expensive cars, resorts). Many music critics predicted the success of this composition, but no one expected the reaction that followed with its release. Even in "pirate" Russia, the single goes gold, and people fall in love with the husky Frenchwoman, buying up her album. Now it’s hard to say what is the reason for such a deafening popularity of Isabelle. But as the singer's fans themselves say, her music does not require translation, as it comes from the heart. No autotune, no computer processing, just Zaz's hysterical voice. Fortunately, the debut work did not turn out to be a one-hit record: in the same 2010, we heard songs such as “Eblouie Par La Nuit”, “Ni Oui Ni Non”, “Les Passant” and “J’Aime A Nouveau”.

Eblouie Par La Nuit

“Ni Oui Ni Non”

"Les Passants"

J'Aime A Nouveau

In a literal sense, we heard them everywhere: on the radio, on television, and even as ringtones for random passers-by. But I would like to pay special attention to two compositions that were not released as singles and did not receive wide publicity - these are “Dans Ma Rue” and “La Pluie”.

Dans Ma Rue

A song that migrated to the Zaz album from the repertoire of the great Edith Piaf. In it, Zaz threw out all the pain that had accumulated in her since early childhood. I would not like to compare these two singers, but it is worth noting that Isabelle's version turned out to be very worthy.

The second composition that touched the strings of my soul was the measured “La Pluie” (“Rain”).

The monotonous, lulling melody and Geoffrey's hoarse vocals leave a deep imprint in the memory, plunging the listener into a state of light sadness.

Zaz is an amazing singer, first of all, captivating with her sincerity. This is an absolutely non-commercial project in the best traditions of French chanson (do not confuse classic French chanson with Russian blatnyak). Listening to Zaz songs you want to cry, laugh, think. One way or another, this music makes its listener feel, live without looking back at the past, breathe deeply and, if not for a long time, but forget about everyday difficulties. Zaz's music is timeless. She is alive. For me personally, it is a weighty argument to start learning French.

March 1st, 2013

A lot is written and said about famous French pop and opera performers. And we will start our story with Pauline Viardot (Michelle-Pauline Viardot-Garcia), whose name is known, probably, to every person. Only few people know that she lived and worked in the 19th century. giving big concerts became a student of Franz Liszt and Reich in 1837, and two years later she entered the musical arena of other countries not only due to her charisma, artistry and beauty, but also due to her amazing contralto. Polina Viardot conquered the opera scenes of the largest European cities, she gave concerts in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

The treasury of French music contains about a thousand songs performed by Charles Aznavour. By the way, it was he who became the first performer from France who was able to release a platinum disc. During his entire creative life, more than 100,000,000 discs with recordings of songs performed by him were sold. Charles Aznavour was recognized as the best pop singer of the 20th century, however, according to the version of Time magazine. He is loved for his surprisingly touching manner of performance, incredible sensuality and tenderness. Edith Piaf, who saw his talent, and Maurice Chevalier helped him break onto the stage. His path to big stage took almost ten years, but Charles Aznavour achieved his goal and received worldwide fame. Today he is 88 years old, but he did not leave his career and continues to tour the world and delight people with his work.

The spread of musical trends, the development of cinema, of course, affected the culture of France, but the scrupulous French did their best to preserve the national flavor both in cinema and in music. But at the beginning of the 20th century, French music was not very popular. It is curious that French compositions penetrated into America, were translated into local English and became known to the whole world. This is exactly the story that happened with Claude Francois's song "My Way", which after some time became the real hallmark of the famous Frank Sinatra.

However, French music and performers absorb fashion trends to the least extent and follow them - each of the performers remains himself and shows the world truly French compositions.

It is also curious that in French music one can quite clearly see the division between directions, if we are talking about primordially French performers, and the boundaries are washed away if the visiting French sing. For example, in the style of the world-famous Celine Dion (Celine Dion), the American style of performance is easily guessed. Although in 1998, after her performance of the composition “D Eux”, French music was talked about with unprecedented force. Another famous Frenchwoman Mylène Farmer performs French compositions in the English manner. Desireless sings in a similar style.

Of course, French chances deserve special attention. It is enough to give a definition of this musical direction - it is fundamentally different from Russian chanson. And therefore it makes no sense to compare them - they are different music. As an example, we can talk about the work of Yves Montand (Yves Montand) and Edith Piaf (Édith Piaf). Mireille Mathieu and Joe Dassin are working in a similar direction. All of them mainly sing in classical chanson, although deviations from the main work in favor of popular musical trends are easily detected.

A great contribution to the development of the French chanson was made by Maurice Chevalier, who brought the chansonnier Aznavour to the stage, and Charles Trenet. French-speaking Italians by origin Claude Barzotti and no less famous Salvatore Adamo sing in the chanson style. Talking about French chanson, one cannot but mention Georges Moustaki, Francoise Hardy, Félix Leclerc. There are many performers in the chanson style, since this is one of the most popular musical trends.

Separately, by the side, I passed by the French chanson Patricia Kaas ( Patricia Kaas). Initially, her compositions were bright and stylish, attracted attention and caused a storm of delight. Gradually, she moved from a pure genre to a mixture of styles, jazz, blues, but on the whole she remained original and true to her chosen directions. With the advent of new modern trends, her style of performance can be characterized as the most common - pop.

The author's song is another musical direction that is definitely worth mentioning in the review. True, there is no direction as such, but due to the similarity with domestic bards both in style and in the manner of performance, we still dare to single out the author's song as something separate. And here in the forefront for many years was Georges Brassens (Georges Brassens), who is very fond of almost all the French. Worthy of attention and Jacques Bpel (Jacques Brel), and touching Boris Vian (Boris Vian), in its own way interesting Leo Ferre (Léo Ferré). According to radio listeners, the composition "Ne me quitte pas" by Jacques Brel was named the best French-speaking in the 20th century.

The French author's song is widespread precisely among French-speaking listeners. In Russia, it did not take root, nor did it gain great popularity in America - the style is quite specific and original. In general, you need to know French very well in order to fully understand and understand the manner of performance.

French rock and roll is brutal and heavy Johnny Hallyday and Eddy Mitchell, who often performed in jazz style, and then went into acting. Of the female performers, one can only mention Sylvie Vartan, who, more than other performers, turned to rock and roll.

Jean Leloup, Okoumé sang in classic French rock style. Music critics refer to the work of Daniel Lavoie as soft rock. Partly in this direction, Patrick Bruel worked, who, like many others french musicians became an actor.

Like in any other country, France has its own musicians who work in almost all musical directions at once. Julien Clerc, for example, Gilbert Bécaud, and even Michel Sardou, whom music critics noticed in the performance of almost any composition, regardless of their style orientation.

Particular attention - parody musicians. No, these are not jokers and rake at all, but people who, in a light parodic vein, seem to mock at the stylistic cacophony modern stage. Of course, this is Serge Gainsbourg and Henri Salvador, who performs compositions not only in this style, but also acts as a jazz singer.

Jazz styles there are several on the French stage. First of all, this should include Boris Vian, from whom, on his own, the jazz stage of a large scale began. Jazz was also performed by Michel Jonasz, Michel Polnareff and some others.

In the recent past, lyrical ballads were very popular in France. Philippe Lafontaine, Enzo Enzo, François Feldman, Nana Mouskouri - all delighted listeners with delightful lyrical ballads and melodic voices.

French music is full of directions, but it would be incomplete without pop music. Variety - in the sense of not a stage, but unobtrusive music, as it were, "about nothing." We would call it pop, but unlike the domestic musical direction, the French do not have voiceless singers and singers. And if they do occur, then they do not stay on the musical Olympus for a long time. Want to hear typical "pop songs"? Buy an album by Michel Fugain or Claude François, Daniel Gérard or Michele Torr, although the latter has not yet decided which style is closer to her, and every now and then draws eyes on other directions. Dalida (Dalida), Marie Myriam (Marie Myriam), Karen Cheryl (Karen Cheryl), Dave (Dave), are close to the modern pop music of Thierry Hazard (Thierry Hazard), Claire and Didier Barbelivien (Didier Barbelivien). Philippe Lavil stands apart here with clear African inclusions and a completely non-French manner of performing. How the singer tried to take place Vanessa Paradis, but her excessive passion modeling career and cinema rather quickly pushed music and stage into the background. Even Carla Bruni tried to sing, but she did not pick up laurels from the clouds, and her voice was not very successful.

France Gall, Richard Anthony and Serge Lama work at the junction of pop, jazz, chanson and other musical styles. In this list, the name of Marie Laforêt should also be mentioned.

Among contemporary French performers who appeared on the stage in last years, the most popular are Florizel, Alizee, Garou, K-maro, Ridan. Unlike the cult performers of French music, these singers and singers, for the most part, create pop compositions, make videos and, having appeared in the music top for several weeks, quickly disappear in order to throw in another song with a claim to originality. But even among them there are those who cause genuine delight in the listener.

For many, the real discovery was the singer Isabelle Geffroy (Isabelle Geffroy), performing under a fashionable short pseudonym - ZAZ. Inconspicuous in appearance, she conquers with her amazing sound, genuine, sincerity. In her performance, the brightest compositions of the famous French become even more interesting and sonorous. It seems that even without musical accompaniment she is able to conquer anyone with her slight hoarseness in her voice and complete ease.